“Congratulations…again,” Lottery staff said in greeting to Donald Cole III. The familiar face walked into the Lottery headquarters’ winners’ lounge for the second time in just one month’s time to claim another $50,000 win. The gregarious 52-year-old resurrected his “cabbage patch” victory dance as he celebrated his good fortune.

Donnie, as he refers to himself, won his first $50,000 prize on the Big Money Mega Play scratch-off on June 26. He was back at Lottery headquarters just one day shy of a month later on July 25 to claim his $50,000 win on the Silver & Gold scratch-off.

The elated winner was following his typical routine of scratching his tickets to his favorite heavy metal “head-banging” music when he discovered the second prize. “I just looked at it and looked at it again,” said Donnie. “The shock wore off a lot quicker this time,” he said with a laugh. Donnie immediately called his wife of nine years, who he affectionately refers to as his bride, and told her the news. “She was mildly stunned and borderline ecstatic,” said Donnie dryly. Donnie recounted his recovery from a life-threatening brain aneurysm in 1999 and added, “She told me again, like she always does, ‘You are the world’s luckiest guy.’”

While Donnie said his last winnings were earmarked for “buying things I don’t need,” this time around he intends to take donate to animal rescue causes. Once again, the winning ticket was purchased at Olney Shell, located at 18040 Georgia Ave. in Olney.

“Can I do the Cabbage Patch dance?” asked Donald Cole III, when Lottery officials confirmed that he had won $50,000. They gave him the go ahead and Donald got up from his seat and began to do his celebration boogie.

The delighted winner said that his winning day started with a trip to the ATM machine. He then went to the Olney Shell to purchase his Lottery tickets. Donald took his tickets home to scratch and had played a few before revealing his win on the Big Money Mega Play. “I must have looked at that ticket 2,500 times,” said the 52-year-old. He then immediately called his “bride.”

Although, married for nine years and together for 16, Donald still affectionately refers to his wife this way. “I knew after three or four dates, that she was the one,” he said. “I’m married to the most amazing woman on the planet.” Donald then recounted how she had stood by him as he fought for his life back when he had a brain aneurism burst in 1999. After a miraculous full recovery, the two remain inseparable with this the latest of his lucky moments. “When I told her the news she was excited,” said Donald. “She always tells me, ‘you are the luckiest man.’”

As far as plans for his $50,000, Donald’s response was quick and concise, “Buy something I don’t need,” he said. The winning ticket was purchased at Olney Shell, located at 18040 Georgia Ave. in Olney.